Dive Brief:
- While it's easy to assume that medical students eagerly use mobile devices, that's not always the case, according to recent study in the journal Medical Teacher.
- The study, written by researchers from the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, argues that med student use of tablets and smartphones vary widely depending on a host of factors, including the learner, t he device, the circumstances and the teacher involved.
- Researchers, who surveyed 101 students, found that half reported never using their smartphones or tablets; Also, less than one-third of respondents said they viewed online curriculum on their phone or tablet, and few took notes on their handheld, they found.
Dive Insight:
As this research underscores, med school students aren't uniformly interested in using tablets and smartphones for clinical work or study, even if they're fond of such devices in their private lives. After all, as marvelous as these devices can be as accessories, they aren't necessarily designed to enhance the medical school experience. I believe that it will take a specially-designed tablet or mobile device to get students fully on board with the mobile medical experience. Vendors, are you up to the challenge?